Bobcats cut coaching candidates to three

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 12 (UPI) -- The Charlotte Bobcats have narrowed the field of finalists for head coach to three, a source told The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.

The Bobcats are currently considering former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan, Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Quin Snyder for the head coaching position left vacant after the team did not renew Paul Silas' contract.

Only Sloan has previous NBA head coaching experience. His record is 1,221-803 and he has coached the Jazz to the playoffs 19 times.

Shaw and Snyder both have had success as assistants with their respective teams. Shaw, who also has ties to the Orlando Magic, helped the Pacers to the second round of the playoffs this year.

Snyder, who played point guard for Duke, also helped the Lakers to the second round of the playoffs, and has been a head coach in the NBA's Developmental League and at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The Bobcats finished last season with a 7-59 record and recorded a winning percentage of .106, the worst in the history of the NBA.